Spring Break
Beaver players join Eugene FC for international game
Three Oregon state soccer players are set to play against Italian U-21 futbol club
Nick Lilja
Issue date: 6/6/08 Section: Sports
"With Italy winning the last World Cup, it's exciting to put your abilities up against such a talented team," Leach, a native of Scarborough, Australia said.
Italy's national men's team will be playing in the Euro 2008 games in June and is expected to be a top contender for the Euro title. While visiting in Eugene, the Juventus players will be closely watching as Italy's and France's national teams play on June 16 in one of the Euro's early group games.
Leach said that Euro teams usually travel to the United States to build a fan base and hit target markets.
In America, young soccer players are still looking for a team to follow and players to watch. Having the U-21 teams come through the United States gives young fans a chance to see up-and-coming players before they break onto the international scene.
The Eugene Metro FC Select team will feature mostly Division-I players who played soccer at local high schools and clubs and are now playing on college teams throughout the country. This includes Ryan White, Denton Brown and Jordan Crasilneck, all currently playing at the University of Vermont, goalkeeper Brian Rowe from UCLA, Leland Wright from the University of Portland and Garrett Staples, from Concordia. With Hasson, Leach and Christner from Oregon State
The Select team will be coached by Eugene Metro FC Director of Coaching Jurgen Ruckaberle, who is also the current South Eugene boys varsity coach, and other Eugene Metro coaches, including Mac Wilson (former Sheldon coach), Joe Beeler (UO assistant volunteer coach), Parker Nehl (Marist boys coach) and Phil Larson (former Sheldon coach).
The Select team and reserve players will begin training in early June when all players have arrived in Eugene, and coaches expected strong competition among players for roster spots.
The Division-I athletes, though, have to buy all of their equipment, including jerseys.
"Because of the NCAA rules, we had to buy our jerseys that we wear during the game," Hasson said. "But still, it's a friendly international game, so when the teams swap jerseys at the end, we will get to keep those."
This year's international friendly game will offer the area's soccer community an unusual opportunity to watch a top men's game at the University of Oregon's Papé soccer field.
Tickets are on sale now at both Smith Family Bookstores, Beppe and Gianni's Trattoria and Direct Kick Soccer Shop. All tickets are $15 and seating and field areas are limited.
Nick Lilja, sports editor
sports@dailybarometer.com
Italy's national men's team will be playing in the Euro 2008 games in June and is expected to be a top contender for the Euro title. While visiting in Eugene, the Juventus players will be closely watching as Italy's and France's national teams play on June 16 in one of the Euro's early group games.
Leach said that Euro teams usually travel to the United States to build a fan base and hit target markets.
In America, young soccer players are still looking for a team to follow and players to watch. Having the U-21 teams come through the United States gives young fans a chance to see up-and-coming players before they break onto the international scene.
The Eugene Metro FC Select team will feature mostly Division-I players who played soccer at local high schools and clubs and are now playing on college teams throughout the country. This includes Ryan White, Denton Brown and Jordan Crasilneck, all currently playing at the University of Vermont, goalkeeper Brian Rowe from UCLA, Leland Wright from the University of Portland and Garrett Staples, from Concordia. With Hasson, Leach and Christner from Oregon State
The Select team will be coached by Eugene Metro FC Director of Coaching Jurgen Ruckaberle, who is also the current South Eugene boys varsity coach, and other Eugene Metro coaches, including Mac Wilson (former Sheldon coach), Joe Beeler (UO assistant volunteer coach), Parker Nehl (Marist boys coach) and Phil Larson (former Sheldon coach).
The Select team and reserve players will begin training in early June when all players have arrived in Eugene, and coaches expected strong competition among players for roster spots.
The Division-I athletes, though, have to buy all of their equipment, including jerseys.
"Because of the NCAA rules, we had to buy our jerseys that we wear during the game," Hasson said. "But still, it's a friendly international game, so when the teams swap jerseys at the end, we will get to keep those."
This year's international friendly game will offer the area's soccer community an unusual opportunity to watch a top men's game at the University of Oregon's Papé soccer field.
Tickets are on sale now at both Smith Family Bookstores, Beppe and Gianni's Trattoria and Direct Kick Soccer Shop. All tickets are $15 and seating and field areas are limited.
Nick Lilja, sports editor
sports@dailybarometer.com
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.